Testimonials

Would you like to read some awesome testimonials? Click on a name and check it out.

Tim Cluess

Dwayne was one of the toughest players I’ve ever had the pleasure of coaching. His passion to win has carried him a long way on and off the court. He was a key component of a great basketball team that won a NY State Title, and his winning ways continued into college. Helping his team make the NCAA Tournament was just another testament to his drive and determination. Awards never meant much to him, and that was an impressive aspect of his character. The team and the win mattered most, and this attitude is what makes him one of my favorite players and people in my life. His spirit is positive and contagious, something everyone loved being around. He hasn’t changed much and that is a good thing. His love of competition brought him back to the world of sports, and it’s where he truly belongs.

Dwayne has trained hard and studied the game of basketball since he was a teenager. Mix this with his passion for sports and business and you have a winning recipe for teaching and growing young athletes. I know and believe he will continue to be successful in life. In my eyes he is the perfect candidate to advance any young athlete to the next level.

Daniel James

I remember the day I stepped off of the plane from England on September 5th to my new life in the States. It was a gratifying and empowering feeling. It kind of felt surreal, as I knew the life I was about to embark on would be that of an exciting one. I didn’t know how things would be, I never visited the campus of Monmouth University, or even met my team mates. All I knew was Id made it to my next checkpoint and from that day it would be hard work, determination that would bring me to my next goal as a full-scholarship basketball player. To actually PLAY!

On the second day, I met this tall, friendly and very intense individual by the name of Blake Hamilton who introduced himself as a former Monmouth player of the year and championship winner, and former professional. After a credibility check with a couple of team mates I found out that he was in fact “Real” as some may put it. From then on we sort of clicked; He without saying became my mentor/ Big Brother/ Trainer.

Due to an injury I sustained in the previous season I red shirted my freshman year, meaning it was time for me to WORK on my game, as I was still quite raw after only playing basketball from 14 years old in a country that doesn’t give any other sport but Football (Soccer), Rugby, or cricket a second look.

It was a tough task getting me up for 6am every day before class to work on my game, but after a daily dose of nagging and inspirational words he managed and I quickly saw my game elevate. After every practice Blake would make me and others on the team stay behind after practice, where we would previously just leave for the dining hall. It became routine, not just for me but the WHOLE TEAM. This newly formed mindset of real wanting to get better and work on our games for a brighter future in the sport really helped make us better not just as individuals but as a team.

It was not just my basketball that Blake helped me improve, but life skills, academics, and all around know how on how to survive and succeed in a country that has opportunity for those who are willing to work. I am now a Graduate of Monmouth University, with a decent job out of collage, living in in New York (With another Monmouth basketball alumni Whitney Coleman) and although my basketball playing didn’t go as planned, which was mostly due to surgeries and injuries. I can confidently say Blake has helped my life in a way far greater than he could imagine.

Blake is a mentor, friend and inspiration to not only me, but those around him and feed off his hard work, love, and all around pursuit of spreading the good basketball vibes. As Basketball can help your life more than you would ever know.

Jack Herrmann

I started training with Blake when I was a sophomore in High School. Blake always starts with the fundamentals… form, footwork, simple handling and body control. When I started with him I thought his training was basic but after a summer of hard work and training with him I went from averaging 3 points a game on the varsity level to 20 points a game as well as All- Division and All- Conference Honors. I was performing moves in the post and on the wing that I never even thought I would ever be capable of doing. His training is a process. It may seem simple at first but he does it so he can build a foundation you can build onto. By the end of your training you will be doing some of the most complex moves and footwork. But Blake does not only focus on skill development. When I first started working with him I couldn’t touch my toes and would be surprised if I could hold a plank for 30 seconds. He works all aspects of the game including strength, fatigue, balance and flexibility. I never had to work with another trainer; Blake turned me into a college basketball player. Without him I would be just another athlete.

JJ C.

The June before my senior year of high school, I was introduced to Blake Hamilton. I remembered following his run to the NCAA tourney at Monmouth so I immediately respected him. After the first workout we had together, I remember thinking that I’d do anything just to be at the beach with my friends. Little did I know that this summer would be the most rewarding summer of my life.

I worked with Blake multiple times a week on top of daily team practice. Blake who taught me that if you’re not working hard then you’re doing it wrong. During our sessions he concentrated on the details and technique of my game. We perfected the fundamentals, starting every shooting workout with layups or form shooting. Not only did I appreciate his teaching methods, but Blake also does a very good job of instilling a mentality of laser focus on the basketball court. I used to get away with things because of my talent, but with Blake I soon realized that every shot and every repetition is important to my on court development. Additionally, Blake forced me to become a tougher basketball player, a basketball player that was hungry. He taught me that sometimes someone with a strong attitude can be a good leader as well.

It was also great to learn from someone who had “been through the fire” as a major college athlete. He taught me moves that I had never seen before while also teaching me the importance of stretching, preparation, and conditioning.

I will always remember the great strides and lessons I learned from Blake Hamilton. His never-ending list of dribble moves, post moves, and overall basketball IQ helped me to become the 2nd leading scorer; his toughness on the importance of fundamentals helped me lead my team in and-one conversions; and his never give up helped me as I led the team in rebounding. But most importantly, Blake’s overall work as a mentor, instructor, and friend helped me to have one of the best and most rewarding basketball season of my life.

Mike L.

When I was younger, I remember watching Blake Hamilton become NEC Player of the Year, and I was at the game when Dwayne Byfield scored his 1,000th career point. I admired their ability to lead on the basketball court, and I was lucky enough to train with them a few years later. Not only did they help me improve my skills, but they also showed me the amount of hard work and discipline that you need to reach your goals. When basketball ended for me, I applied the work ethic they instilled in me to my school work. I am now an Honors student and I plan to attend law school next fall.

Dave Calloway

“Blake was a tremendous player for us at Monmouth and was not only one of the best all-around athletes that I coached during my time there as head coach, he was just fun to be around. He led us to the NCAA Tournament and earned MVP of the NEC Tournament and regular season, but what really impressed me was how well Blake was respected throughout campus. Blake has a burning desire to succeed and he was able to relate his desire to win onto teammates very easily. He has demonstrated a dogged determination to succeed at whatever he attempts and he has an uncanny ability to transfer his point of view over to younger athletes. Glamour and all that stuff never seemed to excite Blake much, he was just glad to have the game of basketball in his life. I could not think of anyone more prepared at developing young talent today and getting the most out of anyone he works with.”

Dave Calloway National Sales Manager 94Fifty Basketball Technologies Former Head Coach, Monmouth University